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Published on June 6, 2016

Robotics and Artificial Intelligence | Evidence to the Science and Technology Select Committee

Harry Farmer is a policy researcher at Involve. He is fascinated by the power of deliberative processes to enable governments to negotiate controversial policy decisions - particularly those presented by emerging technologies and demographic change. He currently works primarily on the Citizens for Public Service programme.

In our submission, we contend that the government’s success in harnessing the potential of robotics and AI will depend to a large extent on its ability to develop policy that is sensitive to, and informed by, public concerns about these new technologies. In particular, government needs to ensure that it addresses public concerns about the social and ethical ramifications of the development and proliferation of robotics and AI.

We argue that one important way of doing this is by embedding public dialogue into the policy making process around these issues.

Finally, we make some suggestions about how to undertake successful public dialogues and about how such practice might be embedded into policy making practice around robotics and AI.

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About Involve

Involve is a charity and think tank established in 2003 to improve the quality of democracy between elections. We want to build a democracy that works for everyone – that gives people real power to effect change in their lives, communities and beyond. More about Involve »